Historic encampment moves to Fort Point

The encampment will be held on the grounds of Historic Fort Point Lighthouse July 6-8 and will provide a unique, historical background to the 2 p.m. July 18 Historic Re-Enactment of the defense of Liverpool against invading Americans.

Privateer Days runs from July 5-8.

Committee Co-chair Owen Hamlin says the encampment area will be on the actual site of the Liverpool battle.

“It’s an historic site, it can be integrated into the re-enactment on Sunday, and it will spread the festival out a little bit more,” he adds.

During the American Revolutionary War the men of the Kings Orange Rangers garrisoned the Town of Liverpool. This company, under the command of Capt. Howard, had been brought from Orange County, New York to protect the town from American raiders.

The encampment is a recreation of the desperate days of 1780 and represents a number of regiments that took an active part during the "troubles in America."

Represented at the 2003 site were the 84th of foot, Royal Highland Emigrants, Royal American Fencibles, 2nd Canadian Continental Line, Royal Artillery, and the host company, Kings Orange Rangers.

The campsite is set up in traditional military fashion with proscribed positions for the tents from commanding officer to enlisted men. Specialty canvas will include the large marquee used as a meeting place and the very small bell at arms used for musket storage as well as various types of awnings for weather protection.

Three to four cooking sites are set up well away from the tents for the purpose of food preparation. You may also find a blacksmith at his portable forge and separated from the military are tents of Sutlers (traveling salesmen) with their various wares.

Each day of the encampment you may visit Fort Point at the end of Main Street to watch the soldiers, their wives and children go about their everyday lives in the late 18th Century. All the clothing worn on site has been meticulously copied from original examples using only natural fabrics and featuring hand finished details.

The soldiers will carry out various military frills, practicing to meet the foe and defend the citizens. You will see them marching in formation, carrying out musket drills and holding firing practices as well as the routine camp chores of cleaning gear and muskets.